Islands Cry Out for Change in Tourism-Driven Economy

Demonstrations erupted across the eight Canary Islands on Saturday as thousands of people took to the streets to demand change in the mass tourism model that has dominated the archipelago’s socioeconomic landscape. Under the slogan ‘The Canary Islands have a limit’, protesters called for transformation, echoing historical mobilizations in their community.

In Gran Canaria, thousands of people marched along Las Canteras promenade, while others gathered in Santa Cruz de Tenerife and other islands. In Madrid, similar demonstrations took place, with Canarians gathering in Puerta del Sol to criticize the economic model they feel is pushing them out of their land.

The origins of these marches stem from concerns about the exhaustion of the archipelago’s economic engine, which contributes 35% to GDP and nearly 40% of employment. Protesters demanded a moratorium on tourism development, an ecotax on foreign purchases, and regulation of housing purchases by non-residents. As weeks passed, the discourse expanded to include issues such as poverty, low wages, rising rental prices, and strain on natural spaces and road infrastructure.